A bill has been introduced in the New Jersey Legislature that would allow a congregant at a house of worship to carry a firearm while at prayers.
The sponsors of the bill, Assemblymen Gary Schaer and Ronald Dancer, say that the intent of the bill is to prevent mass shootings similar to those that occurred at a church at a church in Sutherland, Texas in 2017, and at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018.
In an exclusive interview with TLS, Assemblyman Schaer said that some people are surprised that he would sponsor such a bill.
“Throughout my career, I have always voted to make guns less accessible to people,” Schaer said. “But the attack in Jersey City showed that we need to make an exception. When people are praying they need to feel safe.”
Assemblyman Schaer said that efforts to educate the public regarding rising anti-Semitism and hatred across the US is commendable, but isn’t enough.
“When educating people, it can take years to see any results. We don’t have years to wait to make churches and synagogues safer. We can’t continue with the same-old same-old, thinking that people will stay safe that way. We need more.”
Assemblyman Schaer also said he was happy to be co-sponsoring the bill along with Assemblyman Ronald Dancer.
“Ronald is a great guy, a really good person. And I’m glad this is something that we’re able to do together,” Schaer told TLS.
The bill, if passed into law, would allow the governing body of a place of worship to establish a security program by selecting one person to carry a handgun for the purpose of protecting religious service attendees. The person selected would be required to participate in an approved firearms training course.
Getting the bill passed in the Democratic-controlled Legislature will be difficult, but possible, Schaer told TLS. “Keeping people safe is something worth fighting for.”
So what good is this for NJ??? In NJ only ex-law enforcement persons can get a concealed carry license.
Concealed Carry doesn’t restrict ownership, it restricts concealed carry of a weapon. You can have a hand gun in your house, you can transport a gun (following the legal procedure for transport). If this bill passes, you would be allowed to have it in Shul as well.
Concealed Carry doesn’t restrict ownership, it restricts concealed carry of a weapon. You can have a hand gun in your house, you can transport a gun (following the legal procedure for transport). If this bill passes, you would be allowed to have it in Shul as well.
Eh, unfortunately this will never get passed.
Ilgeal guns will always be on the streets no matter what kind of gun control laws there are only solution is arm good people
This is a great idea. Itll also help if the Sha”tz starts shlepping, you fold bag ur tallis bag, show him ur piece and look at him glaringly. That’ll get him to speed up.
You dont get the Parshas HaMon Aliyah ? Do the same with the gabbai. And no more fighting over that last slice of Kugel at kiddush; guy with the piece gets the piece.
I’d vote for it in a nanosecond.
Only dumb people fall for liberal logic!
This law protects NO ONE!
It makes DUMB people feel good that their politician pretends to care about them.
So the criminals walks around with their guns, they can take it anywhere, shoot whatever they feel like. And ONE designated person (probably a MASMID 24/7) will have permission to have a gun in Shul. Which will either be stored in a LOCKED SAFE in Shul (very helpful) or he will have to remember to bring it every day….
How stupid are people? Who falls for this nonsense?